A Different Take on "The Wizard of Oz"
Can you believe that until yesterday, I had never seen the film "The Wizard of Oz"? I was very curious to see it because of all the references that have been used by other bloggers in connection with Narcissism. However, what I took from the film was entirely different. As I was watching it, it dawned on me that the three elements one needs to fight Narcissism are also there: a brain, a heart and courage.
It's interesting that the characters needing those things appear in that order: because a brain is needed first, to work out what is going on, a heart second, to be able to feel what we have been numbing for so long and courage last, to be to stand up for ourselves.
You can't have courage unless you have a heart first because courage comes from the heart.
courage (n.) 
c.1300, from Old French corage (12c., Modern French courage) "heart, innermost feelings; temper," from Vulgar Latin *coraticum (source of Italian coraggio, Spanish coraje), from Latin cor "heart" (see heart) which remains a common metaphor for inner strength.
Awesome perspective!
ReplyDeleteThank you Judy :)
DeleteBrilliant. Perfect. That's right, to have courage is to take heart and dare to use it. The thinking has to come first; then the feeling, then the courage to face and believe what we now know and feel.
ReplyDeleteAbout that "there's no place like home".....It's true, when it's the home you make FOR yourself. I feel that now, about my home. It took me twenty years. As always, you've distilled the essence here with crystal clarity. xo cs
Thank you CS. I agree that home is the home you make for yourself. I feel like that about my home too. :) xx
DeleteDear Kara,
ReplyDeleteI have watched the Wizard of Oz so many times, I can repeat the dialog word-perfect (well at least I could before turning SIXTY, ha!). The film spoke to me in ways I couldn't understand until getting older. Watching Dorothy click her heels three times to go home, is still a grounding point. It reminds me to go back to my center. (not the farm, LOL)
I like your idea that the heart must FEEL what has been numbed, once our brain has figured out what's going on. And then courage, standing up for ourselves, comes from the heart.
That means a lot to me today, Kara.
Love,
CZ
Thank you CZ, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I wonder if what's been happening with your writing being plagiarised triggered the connection about standing up for ourselves. And like the characters in the film, we can stand up for each other. :)
DeleteHugs,
Kara
I'm like CZ, I've seen the movie so many times I can quote it word for word. I've been watching it since before I can remember!
ReplyDeleteHow in the world have you escaped the film for so long?
Great perspective. I think movies like this have so many layers and things to discover in how they relate. I've often wondered if four principle characters were meant to represent separate parts of one whole person when brought together: the head, the heart, the will to move on despite fear (courage and Dorothy is the spiritual humanity that binds them all together.
You know, I have no idea how on earth I'd come this far without having seen it. I had a similar thing with "Casablanca", I only saw it for the first time a few years ago :P I think you're on to something with your idea that the characters represent parts of one whole person. Makes sense. That's sort of what Glinda means when she tells Dorothy: "Home is a place we all must find, child. It's not just a place where you eat or sleep. Home is knowing. Knowing your mind, knowing your heart, knowing your courage. If we know ourselves, we're always home, anywhere. " xx
DeleteHi Kara,
ReplyDeleteThat is an insightful perspective; I hadn't looked at the story like that before - worth a re-watch. Hugs, TR
Hi TR,
DeleteLet me know what you think when you do. I love "comparing notes" :) xx
Hi Kara,
DeleteThis was a huge coincidence but on the flight over to the US Wizard of Oz was offered as a movie choice - how weird is that? I watched it and I picked up on the reference to good vs bad witch. Lots of ways that Ns judge things are good vs bad or black vs white. And person making a decision they need to know if one is good or bad. I kept your insights when she encountered all three of them. Like the quote about Home is knowing. The characters had all of the abilities necessary they had to find it from within. Hugs, TR
Hi TR,
DeleteThat's pretty amazing, that the film would be on on your flight. I love those coincidences :) xxoo
Awesome post. I love your perspective. I watched the movie a lot and was always terrified by the witch and didn't catch way you so wonderfully observed. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth, my DH wouldn't let me watch it on my own even though he had already seen it countless times. He was worried that I would be scared of the witch too. She was quite scary, I can imagine it must be terrifying for little kids.
Delete